Gstaad Palace
Palacestrasse 28, 3780 Gstaad
The Story
The Burtons' Swiss base
Richard Burton described Gstaad as "the most beautiful place in the world," and the chic resort town in the Swiss Alps has long drawn the rich and famous — from Julie Andrews and Roger Moore to the Aga Khan and Brigitte Bardot. Elizabeth Taylor bought Chalet Ariel, her longtime Gstaad home, while still married to Eddie Fisher, and it became her and Richard's base whenever they were in Europe, the place they spent every Christmas and New Year entertaining friends and family. The chalet could only hold so many, however, and so the overflow was sent down the road to the opulent Gstaad Palace — at Taylor's expense. The couple would arrive with an entourage, several dogs, and, as the legend goes, enough luggage to fill a small cargo plane.
" Burton wrote of Chalet Ariel's library: "It is a fantastic reference library with the index in my head. I shall browse in that place for the rest of my life."
A fairytale palace above the village
The Palace is a turreted, fairytale-like building overlooking the village, and it has been the winter headquarters of international high society since the 1950s. It is one of the grand palaces of the Swiss Alps, the kind of address that comes alive in the snow. Julie Andrews, Roger Moore, Sophia Loren, and a rotating cast of European royalty number among its famous guests. Downstairs, the nightclub GreenGo has been hosting après-ski revelry since the 1970s — proof that the glamour here does not stop when the lifts do.
Signature Experiences
GreenGo nightclub
The hotel's legendary nightclub, GreenGo, has been hosting après-ski revelry since the 1970s.
Famous Connections
Who Came Here
Plan Your Visit
Good to Know
- How to Book: Book direct at palace.ch or by phone on +41 33 748 50 00. The hotel runs distinct winter and summer seasons, so check opening dates before you plan.
- Best Time: December to March for skiing; June to September for the Alpine summer. The hotel closes between seasons.
- Accessibility: Contact the hotel directly to confirm access requirements.
- Tip: This was the Burtons' Swiss social headquarters, so it is steeped in Liz-and- Dick lore. Pair a visit with the wider Gstaad pilgrimage: Elizabeth Taylor's beloved Chalet Ariel was nearby, and she ate regularly at the Hotel Olden in the village.
